BPF head of policy to retire after 22 years 

The BPF’s director of policy, Ian Fletcher, is set to retire in March next year, following over 22 years at the organisation.

Ian remains in post until March 2025 and will continue to play a key role as the BPF works with government to shape the Renters’ Rights Bill and reform of the planning system.

Fletcher joined the BPF in 2002 after spending eight years at the British Chambers of Commerce, where he was head of policy and chief economist.

During his time at the BPF, he has been at the heart of the property sector’s engagement with government and played a central role as rental homes emerged as an institutional asset class, alongside the traditional office, retail and industrial sectors.

Fletcher said: “I have been incredibly lucky to do a job I have loved for the past 22 years. I have been proud to represent the property sector and help lift people’s eyes from the pavement to see the positive impact our industry can have on our towns, cities and everyday lives.

“I have had the pleasure of working with immensely talented and dedicated people – colleagues, members, parliamentarians, civil servants and other stakeholders – and I look forward to continuing many of these relationships over the coming months as the BPF helps shape the reform of the planning system which can unlock huge value for communities across the country and underpin our future economic and social prosperity.”

In 2022, Fletcher was a contributor to the Montague Review; a report commissioned by then housing minister Grant Shapps that looked at how to remove the barriers to long-term investment in purpose-designed homes for rent.

The report’s recommendations were adopted by government, and it is widely seen as the catalyst for the birth of the Build to Rent sector, which today encompasses over 260,000 homes.

Melanie Leech, chief executive, British Property Federation, commented: “Ian’s service to the property industry and to the BPF has been extraordinary. He has worked tirelessly with countless politicians, policymakers and stakeholders to help shape thinking, regulation and policy affecting the built environment.

“He has been a support, friend and mentor to the BPF’s members and staff over the years and always set the highest standards for himself and others to aspire to. He is a true stalwart of our industry.”

Shelter chief executive Polly Neate to step down next March

Polly Neate, the chief executive of Shelter, has announced that she will leave her role at the end of March 2025.

Neate will step down as head of the housing and homelessness charity after more than seven years in post.

Shelter said that under Neate’s leadership, the charity successfully campaigned for changes including new laws to improve conditions in social housing, the strengthening of renters’ rights, and the prioritisation of building new social homes on the political and public agenda.

The charity has also helped millions of people facing homelessness and poor housing through its advocacy, telephone and online advice services, as well as legal support.

The process of recruiting a successor is “now under way”, Shelter said.

In the event of a gap between Ms Neate’s departure and a new chief executive starting, Tim Gutteridge, chief operating officer at Shelter, will serve as interim chief executive with support from Shelter’s executive leadership team.

In 2020, Ms Neate was awarded the CBE by the late Queen for services to tackling homelessness.

Two years later, she was awarded an honorary doctor of laws by the University of Bristol and was elected as a fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences.

Neate,, who told Shelter’s board that she was stepping down for personal reasons, said: “I joined Shelter because I know that an end to homelessness and housing insecurity in this country is not a wild fantasy – it is an achievable reality.

“I feel immensely proud of how Shelter has led the pursuit of that goal over the last seven years. Deciding to leave has been an incredibly difficult decision, but I know the time is right, both personally and for the organisation.

“I’ll forever be grateful to the incredible colleagues, volunteers and supporters who have enabled us to achieve so much in my time here. With their passion and focus, I know Shelter will continue to draw public and political attention to the housing emergency, champion the building of more social homes as the only answer to that emergency, and fight to defend the right to a safe home for everyone.

“When we do finally have a country where homelessness is a thing of the past and everyone can afford a decent place to live, every one of those Shelter employees, volunteers and supporters will have been instrumental in that achievement.”

Andy Clachers appointed COO at The Property Ombudsman 

Former insurance and property agent executive Andy Clachers has been appointed chief operating officer at The Property Ombudsman.

After 17 years in leadership roles in financial services, for both AXA and Standard Life in Asia, Clachers returned to his roots in Scotland in 2023 as a regional managing director at Belvoir Group.

Clachers said: “It’s such an important time for the property industry with reforms to leasehold and the private rented sector aimed at improving outcomes for both consumers and businesses.

“We want to work with businesses to prepare them for any changes and empower them to deliver the best service using the insight we’ve built up over the last 35 years.

“Our Codes of Practice set the standards for the industry, and we want to develop our service using innovations to streamline processes to constantly evolve and improve our service.”

Comings & Goings